Dr. Anwar Gargash: Qatar should commit to rules of security, stability of Gulf.

6/8/2017

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​Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, called on Qatar to commit to the security and stability of the Gulf region while stating that severing ties with Doha is the result of several years of destructive Qatari policies and its support for extremist and terrorist organisations.

In his statement today, he said, "As Qatar is a neighbour, it should commit to the rules of security and the stability of the Gulf. It has to stop playing the role of the main promoter of extremism and terrorism in the region."

"The crisis has increased, and we have reached a dead end in our endeavours to convince Qatar to change its course," he added.

Dr. Gargash highlighted a series of steps that Doha should take in order to repair its relations by initially stopping its support for extremism and terrorism. He also stressed the need for a clear political involvement that reflects a change in Qatari policies.

"Doha has tried to imply that Gulf and Arab countries, which boycotted it, are trying to influence its external policies, but this is untrue," he further added.

He also stressed the necessity of a clear roadmap to execute the agreed political steps from a similar crisis in 2014, which also witnessed the severing of ties with Doha.

He mentioned that Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, previously pledged that his country will execute these steps, but it did not fulfil its pledges.

Regarding Al Jazeera, he added that Qatar should stop using the media to promote an extremist agenda.

He also demanded that Doha must deal with numerous individuals who the United States, US, and the United Nations, UN, have imposed sanctions on who are currently living in Qatar, with some being involved in funding Al Qaida.

He added that members of the Muslim Brotherhood, who spread bigotry around the region, should not have a safe haven in Qatar.

Dr. Gargash believed that mediation at this time would not lead to a result while describing His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, as one of the most prominent leaders in the region and someone with widespread respect.

He also stressed that Iran is the one benefiting from the crisis, as it usually benefits from any crisis between its neighbours while adding that Qatar has good relations with Iran. They also share a gas field and added that Qatar wants to keep all its options open. "The current crisis has nothing to do with the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, as this is not an issue that concerns us," he added.